Nectarine tree `July Pearl`

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a medium size, vigorous, productive and regular bearing tree. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described approximately the first week in July, with first picking on Jul. 7, 1996. The fruit is uniformly large in size, subacidic in flavor, globose in shape, clingstone in type, medium firm in texture, and nearly full red in skin color. The variety was a first generation cross using Summer Bright (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,049) yellow flesh nectarine as the selected seed parent and June Pearl (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,360) white flesh nectarine as the selected pollen parent.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of fresh market andshipping fruits, we, the inventors, typically hybridize a large numberof nectarine and peach seedlings each year. The present inventionrelates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has beendenominated varietally as "July Pearl". The present variety wasdeveloped by us in 1992 in a cultivated area of our experimental orchardat Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. in Merced County (San JoaquinValley). It was a first generation cross using Summer Bright (U.S. PlantPat. No. 7,049) yellow flesh nectarine as the seed parent and June Pearl(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,360) white flesh nectarine as the selected pollenparent. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarinetree, we asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting, and suchreproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to theoriginal plant in all respects.

The fruit produced by the present variety is most similar to its pollenparent, the June Pearl (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,360) by producing whiteflesh clingstone nectarine that are sub-acidic in flavor, medium firm intexture, full red in skin color and virtually free from red texturebleeding, but is distinguished therefrom and an improvement thereon byproducing fruit that ripens about three week later, that is sweeter inflavor, that is larger in size, and that is less prone to protruding atthe apex.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, Summer Bright (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,049) by producing medium firm, full red clingstonenectarines, but is very distinguished therefrom by producing fruit thatis white flesh instead of yellow flesh, that ripens about about one weekearlier, and that is subacidic in flavor instead of acidic.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph exhibits three whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone,a stone, and typical leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm eating ripe on Jul. 12, 1996. All major color codedesignations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council,National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also usedoccasionally.

TREE

Size: Medium.

Vigor: Vigorous.

Growth: Upright and dense.

Form: Round topped.

Hardiness: Hardy.

Production: Very productive.

Bearing: Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Somewhat shaggy.

Bark color.--Dark grayish brown 62. d.gy.Br!.

Lenticels.--Numerous. Color: Light brown 57. 1.Br!. Average Size: 1/8"to 3/8" 3.2-9.5 mm.!.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Color.--1st Year wood topside: Grayish red 19. gy.R!. 1st Year woodunderside: Strong yellow green 117. s.YG!. Older wood: Strong yellowishbrown 74. s.yBr!.

Lenticels.--Numerous, small. Color: Strong orange yellow 68. s.OY!.Average Size: 1/32" to 1/16" 0.8-1.6 mm!.

Leaves:

Size.--Medium. Average length: 55/8" 142.9 mm.!. Average width: 11/2"38.1 mm.!.

Thickness.--Medium.

Form.--Elliptical.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Base.--Acute.

Surface.--Smooth.

Color.--Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green 125. m.OlG!. VentralSurface: Moderate yellow green 120. m.YG!.

Margin.--Finely serrate.

Venation.--Pinnately net veined.

Petiole.--Average Length: 1/2" 12.7 mm.!. Average Thickness: 1/16" 1.6mm.!. Color: Moderate yellow green 120. m.YG!.

Stipules.--Numerous. Average Length: 3/8" 9.5 mm.!.

Glands.--Numbers: 2 to 4 per leaf. Postion: Alternately positioned onpetiole and base of blade. Size: Medium. Form: Reniform. Color:Brilliant yellow green 116. brill.YG!.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Free.

Surface.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Medium as compared with other varieties.

Size.--Large.

Color.--Moderate pink 5. m.Pk!.

FRUIT

Maturity when described: Firm eating ripe, Jul. 12, 1996.

Date of first picking: Jul. 7, 1995.

Date of last picking: Jul. 16, 1995.

Size: Uniform, medium.

Average diameter axially.--3" 76.2 mm.!.

Average transversely in suture plane.--27/8 73.0 mm.!.

Form: Globose, uniform, symmetrical.

Longitudinal section form.--Round.

Transverse section through diameter.--Round.

Suture: A shallow groove extending from the base to slightly beyond theapex with a slight depression beyond the pistil point.

Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped throughout, but stronger on one sideand toward the apex.

Lips: Unequal.

Cavity: Flaring, circular, suture showing on one side, stem markstypical.

Depth.--1/2" 12.7 mm.!.

Breadth.--3/4" 19.1 mm.!.

Base: Rounded to somewhat truncate.

Apex: Rounded.

Pistil point: Negligible in length, oblique and depressed within thesuture.

Stem: Medium.

Average length.--3/8" 9.5 mm.!.

Average width.--3/16" 4.8 mm.!.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tenacity.--Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--Slight in the wet season.

Color.--Very dark red 17. v.d.R! over a deep pink 3. deep Pk! backgroundwith dark orange yellow 72. d.OY! freckling toward the apex.

Flesh:

Color.--Pale yellow green 121. p.YG! with slight moderate red 15. m.R!streaking.

Surface of pit cavity.--Clingstone.

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Juice.--Abundant, rich.

Texture.--Medium, crisp.

Fibers.--Abundant, fine.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Subacidic and sweet, with 15 to 17 brix.

Aroma.--Distinct.

Eating quality.--Very good.

STONE

Type: Clingstone.

Form: Oval.

Base: Straight.

Apex: Acute.

Sides: Equal.

Surface: Regularly furrowed toward the apex and slightly pitted verynear the base.

Ridges: Jagged toward the base.

Color: Light brown 57. 1.Br!.

Pit wall: 7/32" 5.6 mm.! thick.

Tendency to split: Moderate.

Kernel:

Form.--Oval.

Taste.--Bitter.

Viable.--Yes.

Average width.--7/16" 11.1 mm.!.

Average length.--13/16" 20.6 mm.!.

Skin color.--Dark orange yellow 72. d.OY! with moderate brown 58. m.Br!veins.

Pellicle color.--Deep brown 56. deep Br!.

Amygdalin.--Abundant.

USE

Market: Fresh and long distance shipping.

Keeping quality: Very good.

Shipping quality: Very good.

Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantiallyas illustrated and described that is most similar to its pollen parent,the June Pearl (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,360), by producing white fleshclingstone nectarines that are subacidic in flavor, medium firm intexture, full red in skin color and virtually free from red texturebleeding, but is distinguished therefrom and an improvement thereon byproducing fruit that ripens about three weeks later, that is sweeter inflavor, that is larger in size, and that is less prone to protruding atthe apex.